With the Irish Open teeing off Thursday, McIlroy probably isn't too excited about the prospect of renting or borrowing clubs.

Playing with another pro's clubs is worse than cheating and weirder than cousin-love to a professional golfer. It's just not right—not in this venue, with a reported $2 million in prize winnings on the line.

At this point, all McIlroy can do is wait and hope every last United employee in the U.S. is searching for a bag of Nike clubs with a Saint Bernard head cover and a bend in the wedge.